The EYE Innovator Award aims to award the most exemplary new entrepreneur (NE) and host entrepreneur (HE) whose EYE exchanges have led to an innovative impact in terms of technical or process innovation, be it in the fields of environment, sustainability, transport/logistics, smart cities, e-care, digital technologies or any other.

What is Innovation?

Innovation should be considered in its full spectrum, from the research and testing of new practices, tools and methods to the effective creation of a new product, service or process (e.g. production process, distribution method or support activity for goods or services) thanks to new technology, technology combinations or new knowledge.

Entrepreneurs who have achieved one of the above results with their companies are the target of this competition.

To apply for the award, any entrepreneur, who has taken part in a completed exchange in the EYE programme in the period 01 January 2021– 31 December 2022 can submit an application composed of a 60-seconds video and a short description of the success story.

The application form must be submitted by Wednesday, 01 February  2023, 23:59 CET the latest.

Eligibility:

• The applicants must have participated in a completed, successful exchange under the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme which should have started and finished in the period 01 January 2021 – 31 December 2022.
• The applicants must demonstrate the innovative impact of the EYE programme on their company or on their business partner in terms of technical or process innovation, be it in the fields of environment, sustainability, transport/logistics, smart cities, e-care, digital technologies or any other field.
• The application and the presentation must be done in English; therefore, applicants must be fluent in English.

Selection procedure:

• The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Support Office will check whether the applicants fulfil the eligibility criteria;
• All eligible applications will be evaluated by a committee composed of staff from the EYE Support Office, EISMEA, and the European Commission;
• Finally, 4 entrepreneurs (2 NEs and 2 HEs) will be shortlisted and invited to attend in person the EYE Innovator Award session, which will take place on Tuesday, 07 March 2023, during the 30th EYE Network Meeting in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

In the dedicated session, the finalists will present their success stories to the audience, composed of all active Intermediary Organisations in the EYE programme, who will then vote for the final winner.

The indicative timing for the selection of the  finalists is 10 February 2023. The EYE Support Office will contact the 4 finalists and arrange their trips to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The Support Office will cover the travel and subsistence costs of the trip to Santiago.

The 2 winners (1 NE and 1 HE) will receive as a prize - a trip and participation to the SME Assembly 2023. 

The success stories of all the finalists will be promoted on the EYE website and social media.